System and method for MR imaging in inhomogeneous magnetic fields

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for MR imaging in inhomogeneous magnetic fields includes acquisition of a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each data set having a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to a frequency offset that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. A composite image is generated based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and, more particularly, MR imaging in inhomogeneous magnetic fields.

When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field (polarizing field B₀), the individual magnetic moments of the spins in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, but precess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. If the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a magnetic field (excitation field B₁) which is in the x-y plane and which is near the Larmor frequency, the net aligned moment, or “longitudinal magnetization”, M_(Z), may be rotated, or “tipped”, into the x-y plane to produce a net transverse magnetic moment M_(t). A signal is emitted by the excited spins after the excitation signal B₁ is terminated and this signal may be received and processed to form an image.

When utilizing these signals to produce images, magnetic field gradients (G_(x), G_(y), and G_(z)) are employed. Typically, the region to be imaged is scanned by a sequence of measurement cycles in which these gradients vary according to the particular localization method being used. The resulting set of received NMR signals are digitized and processed to reconstruct the image using one of many well known reconstruction techniques.

The use of MR in musculoskeletal (MSK) diagnostics is a rapidly growing field. Arthroplasty is the surgical placement of implants. The population of patients having some form of metal implant is quite large and growing rapidly. MR has significant capabilities in assisting the diagnosis of implant revisions. Using magnetic resonance imaging to assist in clinical diagnostics of MR-compatible arthroplastic implants, however, has proven a fundamentally challenging problem. Most materials that are robust and durable enough to utilize for bone replacements will have magnetic properties that, when placed in a typical B₀ magnetic field, induce extraneous fields of amplitude and spatial variation that are large compared to the field offsets utilized in conventional spatial encoding. Accordingly, these materials can introduce distortions in the main magnetic field resulting in an inhomogeneous magnetic field.

While the signal loss induced by these field gradients can largely be regained through the use of Hahn spin-echoes, the distortion they produce in both the readout and slice directions are drastic and are typically unacceptable for clinical evaluation. Despite these challenges, MRI has been shown to be quite useful in the diagnosis of degenerative conditions in arthroscopic patients. In particular, MRI has been used to screen perioprosthetic soft tissues, diagnose osteolysis, and visualize implant interfaces. These diagnostic mechanisms benefit significantly from visual information near implant interfaces. Unfortunately, artifacts induced by the implants in conventional MRI images are most severe near the implant interfaces.

A proposed approach to reducing MRI artifacts induced by implants is 2D FSE imaging using View-Angle Tilting (VAT). Though this approach can improve in-plane distortions at the cost of significant image blurring, it does not address distortions in the slice-selection direction. Near the most paramagnetic of utilized metallic implants, distortions in the slice-selection direction can almost completely disfigure 2D MR images. While a slice-distortion correction of VAT images in the slice direction has been proposed, its use is limited because it does not correct signal-pileup effects of image distortion.

It would therefore be desirable to have a system and method capable of reducing image artifacts near or around implant interfaces. It would further be desirable to improve clinical diagnostic access to regions of interest near or around implant interfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. The MRI apparatus also includes a computer programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each 3D MR data set acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to generate a composite image based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging includes determining a distinct central frequency for each of a plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions and performing the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions, each 3D MR data acquisition having a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to the distinct central frequency determined therefor. The method also includes generating a composite image from the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program includes instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to set a center transmission frequency and a center reception frequency of a first 3D MR acquisition equal to a first center frequency offset and to execute the first 3D MR acquisition to acquire a first set of 3D MR data. The instructions also cause the computer to set a center transmission frequency and a center reception frequency of a second 3D MR acquisition equal to a second center frequency offset different than the first center frequency offset and to execute the second 3D MR acquisition to acquire a second set of 3D MR data. The instructions further cause the computer to reconstruct a composite image based on the first and second sets of 3D MR data.

Various other features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary MR imaging system incorporating embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an MR imaging technique according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a technique for constructing a magnetic field map according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An apparatus and method is provided that acquires multiple 3D MR data sets where the center transmission frequency and the center reception frequency of each 3D MR data acquisition are set to an offset frequency that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. A single image is constructed from the 3D MR data sets having reduced artifacts and reduced image distortion.

Referring to FIG. 1, the major components of an exemplary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system 10 incorporating embodiments of the present invention are shown. The operation of the system is controlled from an operator console 12 which includes a keyboard or other input device 13, a control panel 14, and a display screen 16. The console 12 communicates through a link 18 with a separate computer system 20 that enables an operator to control the production and display of images on the display screen 16. The computer system 20 includes a number of modules which communicate with each other through a backplane 20 a. These include an image processor module 22, a CPU module 24 and a memory module 26 that may include a frame buffer for storing image data arrays. The computer system 20 is linked to archival media devices, permanent or back-up memory storage or a network for storage of image data and programs, and communicates with a separate system control 32 through a high speed serial link 34. The input device 13 can include a mouse, joystick, keyboard, track ball, touch activated screen, light wand, voice control, or any similar or equivalent input device, and may be used for interactive geometry prescription.

The system control 32 includes a set of modules connected together by a backplane 32 a. These include a CPU module 36 and a pulse generator module 38 which connects to the operator console 12 through a serial link 40. It is through link 40 that the system control 32 receives commands from the operator to indicate the scan sequence that is to be performed. The pulse generator module 38 operates the system components to carry out the desired scan sequence and produces data which indicates the timing, strength and shape of the RF pulses produced, and the timing and length of the data acquisition window. The pulse generator module 38 connects to a set of gradient amplifiers 42, to indicate the timing and shape of the gradient pulses that are produced during the scan. The pulse generator module 38 can also receive patient data from a physiological acquisition controller 44 that receives signals from a number of different sensors connected to the patient, such as ECG signals from electrodes attached to the patient. And finally, the pulse generator module 38 connects to a scan room interface circuit 46 which receives signals from various sensors associated with the condition of the patient and the magnet system. It is also through the scan room interface circuit 46 that a patient positioning system 48 receives commands to move the patient to the desired position for the scan.

The gradient waveforms produced by the pulse generator module 38 are applied to the gradient amplifier system 42 having Gx, Gy, and Gz amplifiers. Each gradient amplifier excites a corresponding physical gradient coil in a gradient coil assembly generally designated 50 to produce the magnetic field gradients used for spatially encoding acquired signals. The gradient coil assembly 50 forms part of a magnet assembly 52 which includes a polarizing magnet 54 and a whole-body RF coil 56. In an embodiment of the invention, RF coil 56 is a multi-channel coil. A transceiver module 58 in the system control 32 produces pulses which are amplified by an RF amplifier 60 and coupled to the RF coil 56 by a transmit/receive switch 62. The resulting signals emitted by the excited nuclei in the patient may be sensed by the same RF coil 56 and coupled through the transmit/receive switch 62 to a preamplifier 64. The amplified MR signals are demodulated, filtered, and digitized in the receiver section of the transceiver 58. The transmit/receive switch 62 is controlled by a signal from the pulse generator module 38 to electrically connect the RF amplifier 60 to the coil 56 during the transmit mode and to connect the preamplifier 64 to the coil 56 during the receive mode. The transmit/receive switch 62 can also enable a separate RF coil (for example, a surface coil) to be used in either the transmit or receive mode.

The MR signals picked up by the multi-channel RF coil 56 are digitized by the transceiver module 58 and transferred to a memory module 66 in the system control 32. A scan is complete when an array of raw k-space data has been acquired in the memory module 66. This raw k-space data is rearranged into separate k-space data arrays for each image to be reconstructed, and each of these is input to an array processor 68 which operates to Fourier transform the data into an array of image data. This image data is conveyed through the serial link 34 to the computer system 20 where it is stored in memory. In response to commands received from the operator console 12, this image data may be archived in long term storage or it may be further processed by the image processor 22 and conveyed to the operator console 12 and presented on the display 16.

FIG. 2 shows a technique 70 for MR imaging near or around patient metallic implants according to an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, technique 70 will be described with respect to 3D Fast Spin Echo (FSE) MR imaging; however, it is contemplated that technique 70 may also apply to 3D spin-echo sequences and other 3D MR acquisition techniques. In an embodiment of the invention, computer system 20 may be programmed to perform technique 70. Technique 70 begins with configuring a pulse train of an MR acquisition pulse sequence at block 72 to be used during each MR acquisition of the MR imaging to acquire a 3D MR data set. The pulse train is configured such that no slab selection imaging gradients are used. In this manner, image reconstruction may be simplified. The shape of pulses of the pulse train within the MR acquisition pulse sequence is also configured. In an embodiment of the invention, a Gaussian pulse shape is used as the shape for pulses of the pulse train. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse shape used may be based on a spatial-spectral pulse shape or on the shape of a hard or square pulse.

At block 74, imaging bandwidths for the MR acquisitions are determined. An excitation pulse bandwidth for the MR acquisition pulse sequence to be used for acquiring MR data is determined as well as a bandwidth of utilized refocusing pulses. The utilized refocusing pulse bandwidth is determined to be equal to or less than the bandwidth of the excitation pulse. A receiver bandwidth for the receive coil array used to acquire MR data during the MR acquisition pulse sequence is set to a bandwidth larger than that typically used in 3D FSE imaging. In an example, the receiver bandwidth is set to +/−125 kHz. It is contemplated that the receiver bandwidth may also be set to a value greater than +/−125 kHz. In the described technique, off-resonance readout distortion is limited to frequency offsets contained in the RF refocusing band. Setting the receiver bandwidth accordingly helps to minimize this residual readout distortion in reconstructed images.

A resonance interval is determined at block 76 that represents an offset for both the center resonance frequency for transmission and the center resonance frequency for reception between sets of acquired MR data. According to an embodiment of the invention, the resonance interval is less than the bandwidth of the utilized refocusing pulses. At block 78, a resonance interval sequence is determined for acquiring 3D MR data sets. The resonance interval sequence includes offset frequency values, or B₀ values, to which central transmission and central reception resonance frequencies are set during MR acquisition. In an embodiment of the invention, the resonance interval sequence includes an offset frequency value of zero. Additional values in the resonance interval sequence include multiples of the resonance interval. For example, the resonance interval sequence may include values for the central transmission and central reception resonance frequencies to be set to each 1 kHz offset step in the range −7 kHz to +7 kHz.

In an embodiment of the invention, the resonance interval sequence is set to interleave or interlace the offset frequency values such that sequential MR acquisitions based on the offset frequency values do not acquire MR data with the central transmission and central reception resonance frequencies set to sequential offset frequency values. For example, an interleaved resonance interval sequence with a 1 kHz resonance interval (or offset step) in the range −7 kHz to +7 kHz may have the following order: [−7, 1, −5, 3, −3, 5, −1, 7, −6, 0, −4, 6, −2, 4, 2 kHz]. Accordingly, neighboring values in the resonance interval sequence are separated by more than the offset step of 1 kHz. Interleaving the resonance interval sequence in this manner reduces interaction between 3D MR data acquisitions in an imaging scan. As described further below, each offset frequency value in the resonance interval sequence is used as the central transmission and reception frequency for a different 3D MR data acquisition. In one embodiment, an MR imaging scan (or protocol) may be configured such that a first set of acquisitions uses a resonance interval sequence with the offset frequency values [−7, 1, −5, 3, −3, 5, −1, 7 kHz] during a single scan and such that a second set of acquisitions uses a resonance interval sequence with the offset frequency values [−6, 0, −4, 6, −2, 4, 2 kHz] during another single scan. The resonance interval sequence values listed above are illustrative only and do not limit the invention. Other and different orders and values for the resonance interval sequence values are considered and are within the scope of the invention.

At block 80, the central transmission and central reception resonance frequencies for a 3D MR data acquisition are both set to one of the values in the resonance interval sequence, in particular, the central transmission frequency and the central reception frequency for the acquisition are set to the same offset frequency value. 3D MR data is acquired at block 82 using the scan parameters and sequences configured and determined in the previous steps of technique 70. In an embodiment of the invention, the 3D MR data is acquired using non-parallel imaging techniques. The 3D MR data may be acquired via multi-channel RF coil 56 of FIG. 1 or via another multi-channel receive coil. However, it is contemplated that parallel imaging techniques such as ARC, and the like may also be used and that multiple multi-channel receive coils may be used to acquire the 3D MR data. At block 84, it is determined if another 3D MR data acquisition should be performed. If all the offset frequency values in the resonance interval sequence have not been used 86, then process control returns to block 80 for setting the central transmission and central reception resonance frequencies for the next 3D MR data acquisition to another of the offset frequency values in the resonance interval sequence and at block 82 3D MR data for another 3D MR data set is acquired as described above. If all the offset frequency values in the resonance interval sequence have been used 88, an image is reconstructed at block 90 for each MR data set acquired, resulting in a collection of images. Each image is reconstructed using known reconstruction techniques.

A final, single composite image is constructed at block 92. In an embodiment of the invention, the composite image is constructed using the maximum intensity projection (MIP) of each pixel from the collection of images. A pre-determined pixel location in each image of the collection of images is used to determine which image contains the greatest intensity projection for the pre-determined pixel location. The greatest intensity projection value is then used for the same location in the final composite image.

In another embodiment, the final, single composite image may be constructed using iterative reconstruction based on a magnetic field map. FIG. 3 shows a technique 106 for constructing a magnetic field map according to an embodiment of the invention. At block 108, a plurality of reconstructed MR images are selected. In one embodiment, the plurality of reconstructed MR images are retrieved from an image storage location such as memory 26 shown in FIG. 1 or another computer readable storage medium. The plurality of reconstructed images may be generated using the technique described above with respect to FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the plurality of reconstructed MR images may be generated on-the-fly. For example, the plurality of MR images may be generated using the technique described above with respect to FIG. 2. At block 110, the pixels for each of the plurality of MR images are examined to determine, for each pixel location, which image of the plurality of MR images has the maximum intensity. At block 112, each pixel location in the magnetic field map is assigned the offset frequency value, or B₀ value, to which the central transmission and central reception resonance frequencies are set to in the image determined to have the maximum intensity for the corresponding pixel location. For example, for a given magnetic field map pixel location, the image acquired with the central transmission and central reception resonance frequencies set to 3 kHz may have the maximum intensity for the corresponding pixel location. Accordingly, the value of 3 kHz is used for the given magnetic field map pixel location. For an adjacent magnetic field map pixel location, it may be determined that the image acquired with the central transmission and central reception resonance frequencies set to −4 kHz may have the maximum intensity for the corresponding pixel location. Accordingly, the value of −4 kHz is used for the adjacent magnetic field map pixel location.

Returning to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, the composite image may be constructed using a sum-of-squares method where the MR data sets are acquired using Gaussian-shaped pulses. One skilled in the art will recognize that the steps of technique 70 may be performed in another order than that described and that such is within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention allow for improved MR imaging near or around metallic implants such that artifacts and image distortion are reduced. Further, embodiments of the invention are applicable in MR imaging where significant heterogeneity of the B₀ magnetic field exists.

A technical contribution for the disclosed method and apparatus is that is provides for a computer implemented method for MR imaging in inhomogeneous magnetic fields.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. The MRI apparatus also includes a computer programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each 3D MR data set acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to generate a single, composite image based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging includes determining a distinct central frequency for each of a plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions and performing the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions, each 3D MR data acquisition having a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to the distinct central frequency determined therefor. The method also includes generating a composite image from the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program includes instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to set a center transmission frequency and a center reception frequency of a first 3D MR acquisition equal to a first center frequency offset and to execute the first 3D MR acquisition to acquire a first set of 3D MR data. The instructions also cause the computer to set a center transmission frequency and a center reception frequency of a second 3D MR acquisition equal to a second center frequency offset different than the first center frequency offset and to execute the second 3D MR acquisition to acquire a second set of 3D MR data. The instructions further cause the computer to reconstruct a composite image based on the first and second sets of 3D MR data.

The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. 

1. A magnetic resonance (MRI) apparatus comprising: an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images; and a computer programmed to: acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each 3D MR data set acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set; and generate a composite image based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.
 2. The MRI apparatus of claim 1 wherein the computer is further programmed to acquire each of the plurality of 3D MR data sets without slab selection via imaging gradients.
 3. The MRI apparatus of claim 2 wherein the computer is further programmed to acquire each of the plurality of 3D MR data sets using a receiver bandwidth of at least +/−125 kHz.
 4. The MRI apparatus of claim 1 the computer is further programmed to acquire each of the plurality of 3D MR data sets using at least one multi-channel reception coil.
 5. The MRI apparatus of claim 1 wherein the computer is further programmed to reconstruct an image for each of the plurality of 3D MR data sets.
 6. The MRI apparatus of claim 5 wherein the computer is further programmed to perform a maximum intensity projection technique on the reconstructed images to generate the composite image.
 7. The MRI apparatus of claim 5, wherein the computer is further programmed to perform a sum-of-squares technique on the reconstructed images to generate the composite image.
 8. The MRI apparatus of claim 5 wherein the computer is further programmed to generate a magnetic field map from the reconstructed images.
 9. The MRI apparatus of claim 8 wherein the computer is further programmed to perform iterative reconstruction using the magnetic field map to generate the composite image.
 10. The MRI apparatus of claim 1 wherein the computer is further programmed to interleave offset frequency values used to acquire the plurality of 3D MR data sets such that sequential 3D MR data sets are acquired using non-sequential offset frequency values.
 11. A method of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging comprising: determining a distinct central frequency for each of a plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions; performing the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions, each 3D MR data acquisition having a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to the distinct central frequency determined therefor; and generating a composite image from the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein performing the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions comprises generating a pulse train comprising one of spectral-spatial pulses, Gaussian pulses, and square pulses.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the pulse train is configured to avoid slab selection using imaging gradients.
 14. The method of claim 11 further comprising reconstructing an image for each of the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions; and wherein generating the composite image comprises applying a maximum intensity projection technique on the reconstructed images.
 15. The method of claim 11 further comprising reconstructing an image for each of the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions; and wherein generating the composite image comprises applying a sum-of-squares technique on the reconstructed images.
 16. The method of claim 11 further comprising reconstructing an image for each of the plurality of 3D MR data acquisitions; generating a magnetic field map from the reconstructed images; and wherein generating the composite image comprises performing iterative reconstruction using the magnetic field map.
 17. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to: set a center transmission frequency and a center reception frequency of a first 3D MR acquisition equal to a first center frequency offset; execute the first 3D MR acquisition to acquire a first set of 3D MR data; set a center transmission frequency and a center reception frequency of a second 3D MR acquisition equal to a second center frequency offset different than the first center frequency offset; execute the second 3D MR acquisition to acquire a second set of 3D MR data; reconstruct a composite image based on the first and second sets of 3D MR data.
 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 wherein the instructions that cause the computer to reconstruct the composite image cause the computer to: compare related pixels between the first and second sets of 3D MR data; and choose one of the related pixels having the greatest intensity for the composite image.
 19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 wherein the instructions that cause the computer to execute the first and second 3D MR acquisitions cause the computer to execute the first and second 3D MR acquisitions without slab selection using imaging gradients.
 20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 wherein the instructions that cause the computer to reconstruct the composite image cause the computer to: construct a magnetic field map based on at least the first and second sets of 3D MR data; and iteratively reconstruct the composite image based on at least the magnetic field map and the first and second sets of 3D MR data.
 21. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 wherein the instructions further cause the computer to: set a center transmission frequency and a center reception frequency of a third 3D MR acquisition equal to a third center frequency offset; execute the third 3D MR acquisition to acquire a third set of 3D MR data; and interleave the center transmission and reception frequencies of the first, second, and third 3D MR acquisitions such that the center transmission and reception frequencies of one of the first and third 3D MR acquisitions is between the center transmission and reception frequencies of the other 3D MR acquisitions. 